2016 Chevrolet Colorado: steering wheel locks up

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · TX

During a three point turn, the power turned off the car completely for a brief few seconds on the screens and the steering wheel locked. Was able to straighten it and all power was back on immediately. Stabilitrak warning has come out on the dash a few times. There seems to be a sudden power loss till the wheel is straightened. Luckily no one was behind, but this has happened a few times when turning.

Filed Mar 13, 2026 · Steering · 82,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, or while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel locked up, and excessive force was needed while steering the vehicle. The "Stabili-trak - Caution When Driving" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the failure started intermittently but became more frequent. Recently, upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel was pulling to the left, making it increasingly difficult to operate the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact left a voice message. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V213000 (Steering); but the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Filed Feb 9, 2026 · Steering · 115,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel locked. The message "Stabili-trak - Caution When Driving" was displayed. The contact stated that during the failure, the contact had to pull over to the side of the road almost every month. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that there would be a charge for a diagnostic test. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Nov 17, 2025 · Steering · HI

My steering failed. I was driving under 30 mph and my steering locked up and I was presented with a Service notification "Stabilitrak". I can not turn my wheel and was not able to go down my driveway.

Filed Oct 30, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · CT

When the truck is driven there are times at random that the steering wheel locks into place while driving at any speed on the road. This warrants me to slowly try and get the car off the road to shut it down and restart it and then the steering goes back to normal. This has happened multiple different times on different days. This has not happened on the highway yet, but if this occurs while driving on the highway this poses a huge risk for an accident to occur. Chevy has had this similar recall on previous 2015s and it seems that 2016 owners are complaining about this issue but it is yet to be a recall.

Filed Aug 11, 2025 · Steering · 104,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while attempting to make a right turn into the driveway at the residence, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to turn, causing the vehicle to strike a tree. The stabili-trac warning light was illuminated. Neither the dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · CA

My 2016 Colorado is having a power steering failure identical to the 2015 recall. Recall #16V054000 (issued February 2016) covered 2015 Colorados and Canyons with the same type of electric power steering (EPS) gear assembly prone to internal corrosion. Exact failure symptoms: Sudden stiff steering, steering wheel locks/stiffens “Service power steering” or “Stabilitrak” warnings DTC codes like U0073, U0101, C0545, etc. Defective part: Original gear assembly: GM part #23228020 Revised torque sensor cover kit (to prevent corrosion): GM part #84344239 The vehicle has been taken to the dealership in January when this failure first occured. The dealer claimed it was due to the corroded negative battery cable. I explained that this was a known issue and a recall had been issued for the same part on the 2015 model. They refused to investigate further. On 07/14/2025 the issue resumed and repeated after restarting the vehicle till it reset no more and remained without power steering. I dropped off the vehicle and one rep informed me that this issue was due to wear and tear and that my vehicle was not on the list of recalls. I spoke to a supervisor and he said they would look into it but it did not sound promising.

Filed Apr 4, 2025 · Steering · TX

I get a power steer warning and the steering wheel locks while driving. I can absolutely not turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is running.

Filed Nov 15, 2024 · Steering · 130,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH the "Stability Control" and "Service Power Steering" warning lights illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to continue driving however, it was difficult to turn the steering wheel to the left or right. The contact stated that the failure recurred at various speeds. The contact regained normal power steering functionality by stopping and turning off and restarting the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V213000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2024 · Steering · SD

This is the secound occurance of this major safety issue occuring in my vehicle. Both times I was driving at highway speed and my steering lock up on me. The traction warning lights and message on my dash popped up, then my steering became very rigid. I can not remember exactly what the message said but it mentioned power steering, maybe it said "power steering" engaged...? This is a huge safety concern, I would not be able to make quick manuever or turn if necessary. I had to come to a complete stop on the side of the highway and turn vehicle on and off again, and it was fine the rest of the day. This is a known issue with other models of the Chevy Colorado, I am floored that it has not been recalled in this model. Does it take someone dying?

Filed Sep 3, 2024 · Steering · 174,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that from idle to up to 55 MPH, the steering seized, and the power steering failure warning light illuminated. The vehicle became difficult to steer causing the contact to drive into the grass on a slight decline on the side of the road. The contact backed out of the grass and waited a while to regain proper power steering functionality. The contact stated that the power steering had failed a second time. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering had failed. The dealer replaced the wire from the battery to the alternator. The failure persisted and became more persistent. The failure occurred approximately 12 or more times within 3 days. The steering failure was self-corrected after being idling for a while however, the contact turned off the vehicle and then wait to restart it to regain proper power steering functionality at other times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 174,000.

Filed Aug 28, 2024 · Steering · 93,150 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,150.